According to CSNPhilly, center Vincent Lecavalier could return this week from a lower-body injury that has sidelined him since Oct. 11. He could be on the ice for Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers, another team with severe offensive issues.

Vincent Lecavalier (AP Photo)

Lecavalier, who has one goal and two assists in five games with Philadelphia, told CSNPhilly he is “hopeful” he can play Thursday. He was encouraged after skating with the team on Sunday for the first time since suffering the injury.

“It felt pretty good for the first day,” Lecavalier told CSNPhilly on Sunday. “You wake up and see how it feels the next day.”

The Flyers (1-7) have scored only 11 goals, which is tied for the fewest in the league with the Rangers.

Lecavalier, 33, signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract with Philadelphia in July after his contract was bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“Hopefully, I will play on Thursday,” he told CSNPhilly. “I just got to be careful. … I gotta make sure everything is good and strong enough to make sure I can play. It’s looking really good right now.

“You want to come back as fast as you can, but at the same time, you want to look at the big picture and make sure you come back healthy. It’s a really long season. There’s a fine line.

“You want to come back quickly as possible but if you come back too early, and it gets worse, you’re not really helping the team.”

Flyers forward Scott Hartnell, who has an upper-body injury, also skated with the team on Sunday but is doubtful for the Rangers game.